Scene IV.

The Way of the World

by William Congreve

[To them] MRS MARWOOD.

MRS. MARWOOD
I'm surprised to find your ladyship in
DESHABILLE at this time of day.

LADY WISHFORT
Foible's a lost thing; has been abroad since
morning, and never heard of since.

MRS. MARWOOD
I saw her but now, as I came masked through the
park, in conference with Mirabell.

LADY WISHFORT
With Mirabell? You call my blood into my face
with mentioning that traitor. She durst not have the confidence. I
sent her to negotiate an affair, in which if I'm detected I'm undone.
If that wheedling villain has wrought upon Foible to detect me, I'm
ruined. O my dear friend, I'm a wretch of wretches if I'm
detected.

MRS. MARWOOD
O madam, you cannot suspect Mrs. Foible's
integrity.

LADY WISHFORT
Oh, he carries poison in his tongue that would
corrupt integrity itself. If she has given him an opportunity, she
has as good as put her integrity into his hands. Ah, dear Marwood,
what's integrity to an opportunity? Hark! I hear her. Dear friend,
retire into my closet, that I may examine her with more freedom--
you'll pardon me, dear friend, I can make bold with you--there are
books over the chimney--Quarles and Pryn, and the SHORT VIEW OF THE
STAGE, with Bunyan's works to entertain you.--Go, you thing, and send
her in. [To PEG.]